On Wednesday, the Senate expressed deep sorrow for the lives lost in the Kukawa attack in Borno, expressing serious concern about the brutal attack on a Nigerian Army formation.
During plenary in Abuja, Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North) called for a minute’s silence for the soldiers, and the senate followed suit.
According to Monguno, who moved the motion, militants attacked forces stationed in Kukawa Local Government Area in a coordinated fashion in the early hours of March 9. He described a fierce 24-hour struggle in which attackers came from all directions and men fought valiantly.
Lt.-Col. Umar Farouq was a lynchpin in bringing peace to Kukawa after rebels had pillaged the town, and the senator expressed his deepest condolences for his passing. The reunification of the displaced people was greatly assisted by Lt.-Col. Farouk, he said.
The congressman further said that the raid was part of increased insurgent offensives and that weapons were looted and many military vehicles were damaged.
He said the attack came despite the ongoing counter-insurgency operations under Operation Hadin Kai aimed at dismantling extremist networks in the North-East.
Additional information was provided by Monguno of an attack on Wednesday morning in another hamlet, Doro, located in Kukawa Local Government Area. The incident claimed the life of one soldier.
Reports of another attack reached him even as he prepared to make his move this morning, he added.
However, the congressman lauded the bravery and selflessness of the soldiers and police who are protecting communities from insurgency brutality and safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
We applaud their courage, resolve, and enthusiasm. Their actions have contributed to the recovery of areas that were previously under the complete control of Boko Haram militants,” Monguno stated.
Senator Shehu Lawal (APC Borno Central), who was a co-sponsor of the motion, expressed concern over the rapid revival of insurgency in Borno and the need for immediate action.
In addition, I’d want to applaud the soldiers for staying the course. According to him, they remained resolute in their struggle against the insurgency so that their people may finally rest easy.
The Senate then observed a minute of silence to remember the soldiers who gave their lives protecting the nation from rebel attacks.
Operation Hadin Kai soldiers were also commended by the senate for their tenacity and dedication in protecting civilians in Nigeria’s volatile northeast.
The MPs also called on the Nigerian military to step up their efforts to end the insurgency by gathering more intelligence, conducting more surveillance missions, and providing more logistical support.